Beijing: A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday called for enhanced cross-Strait cooperation in AI and other cutting-edge fields, criticizing Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for “sacrificing” the island’s competitive industries for their own political gains.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry regarding the difficulties faced by TSMC’s factory in the United States. There were also public opinions in Taiwan suggesting that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should collaborate in high-tech industries, expand investment, and reduce reliance on the United States.

Zhu stated that the mainland’s high-tech sector is rapidly advancing, with new industries and business models continually emerging, providing a solid foundation and broad space for relevant cooperation. She emphasized that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, a competitive sector on the island, could have tapped into strengthened cross-Strait cooperation to realize better development.

However, Zhu criticized the DPP authorities for treating the semiconductor industry as a bargaining chip to seek their own political benefits, selling out the industry to rely on the United States, a move she claimed is unpopular among the people. She urged Taiwan to work together with the mainland, deepen cross-Strait integrated development, and jointly resist external risks and challenges.